cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blahaj.zone/post/26908581
There’s no such thing as an “alpha male.” It’s a false myth with no bases in biology or science. That fact, however, hasn’t stopped the pseudoscience behind a natural dominance hierarchy among men from spreading like a virus through our media culture.
Since bell hooks’ book is mentionned, I thought of adding a link to listen and/or download it.
I was hoping he’d do more of a debunking on the scientific side of things but I guess he’s not an anthropologist.
From the zoology perspective, it is often infuriating how many times I have to re-explain that there’s no such a thing as an alpha male* in wolves. So if there was a simple video about that subject, I’ll gladly take it.
But the think is, it is a lie that is repeated ad nauseam in most media (even kids books about wolves).
Still, I do like Pop Culture Detective, altogether with Folding Ideas is part of my high-brow Youtube time.
Do not ask about my low-brow Youtube time, it is not a place of honor.
*As in it doesn’t mean what you think it means.
just in case: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-the-alpha-wolf-idea-a-myth/
Thanks. I agree this video was good, just not quite what I was looking for.
I think the issue is that while the wolf stuff is well debunked at this point, the myth has grown well beyond wolves at this point and is widely assumed to be part of human nature.
I haven’t seen a great debunking alpha social dynamics in specifically humans. If anyone has one, please share.
